THE mismanagement of funds by DEFRA has resulted in its grant from the EU being reduced, according to the Clwyd South Welsh Assembly Conservative candidate.

John Bell claims this has already resulted in 180 job losses, threatening maintenance of the canal system and increasing boat licence fees.

And he also claims from January, the EU will remove the tax derogation on red diesel increasing its price from around 37p per litre to £1. This will add an extra £30-50 for a weeks boating holiday.

Mr Bell said: 'The tourist industry is already threatened by the 'Bed Tax' and the 'Plate Tax', now, as a result of Labour incompetence and inaction, DEFRA and the EU are heaping further misery on the waterways by reducing its funding and imposing another of Brown's stealth taxes.

'More than 11,000 boat trips annually make the Llangollen Canal one of the busiest in the UK.

'North Wales lives by tourism and our waterways are a vital part of that, bringing thousands of visitors and supporting thousands of jobs.'

He added: 'It would be ironic if, just as the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct receives World Heritage status, fewer and fewer people could afford to travel over it.'